Tuesday, May 26, 2026

1Life, Inc. Brings Free Lab Tests to 23 Sites Nationwide Through Partnership With Singapore Diagnostics

Manila, Philippines – Philippine healthtech social enterprise 1Life Inc. has partnered with Singapore Diagnostics (SGD), the country's first College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited diagnostic facility, to expand access to free preventive laboratory services for Filipinos. 1Life patients enrolled in PhilHealth's Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) can receive nine covered diagnostic tests at no cost across 23 participating SGD branches spanning Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

1Life President Niño Namoco, Laboratory Partnerships and Compliance Head Allister Adam Oraña, SGD President Ritche Joseph Manuel Evidente, and COO Norely Gil formalized the partnership through the signing of a memorandum of agreement at SGD's office in Robinsons Cyber Omega, Ortigas, Pasig City.

YAKAP is PhilHealth's flagship preventive healthcare program, focused on early diagnosis and timely intervention to prevent disease progression and hospitalization among all PhilHealth members and their dependents, regardless of age. As an accredited PhilHealth YAKAP provider, 1Life Inc. delivers these preventive benefits, with its partnership with Singapore Diagnostics enabling patients to access required laboratory tests at no expense.

The covered tests include a complete blood count (CBC), lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance test, HbA1C, urinalysis, fecalysis, fecal occult blood test, and creatinine test, which physicians commonly rely on to detect diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular conditions in their early stages.

Available branches span key urban centers across the country. In Metro Manila, locations include Makati, Las Piñas, Marikina, Parañaque, Pasay, San Juan, Diliman in Quezon City, and two Pasig branches at Robinsons Cyber Omega and Strata. In Luzon, the network extends to Angeles City and San Fernando City in Pampanga, Dagupan City and Urdaneta in Pangasinan, Baguio City in Benguet, and Tarlac City. In the Visayas, branches are in the Reclamation Area in Mabolo and Cebu City, Iloilo City and Mandurriao in Iloilo, and Bacolod in Negros Occidental. In Mindanao, patients may access services in Davao City, Davao del Sur, and General Santos City in South Cotabato.

SGD, founded in 2013, has grown to more than 60 locations nationwide and serves over 600 hospitals and clinics, with satellite laboratories in Angeles City, Cebu City, Dagupan City, Davao City, and Iloilo City, giving the partnership immediate logistical depth across the country's major regions.

The deal marks a significant expansion milestone for 1Life, which has served more than one million patients across all 81 provinces and over 1,300 cities and municipalities in just two years of operations. The company uses artificial intelligence-supported clinical workflows to compress what traditionally requires at least four patient visits into a single healthcare encounter.

1Life positions the SGD partnership as central to its preventive care strategy, arguing that access to free diagnostics is a prerequisite for early disease detection, particularly in geographically and economically underserved communities where laboratory services have historically been out of reach.

“Preventive care only works if people can actually get tested, and that has always been 1Life's mission. Partnering with trusted laboratory providers is fundamental to this, because accurate diagnoses and sound treatment decisions begin with reliable diagnostics. When a patient can receive a comprehensive laboratory workup at no cost, that goes beyond diagnosis. That is an opportunity for a healthier life," 1Life President Niño Namoco said.

1Life operates as a social enterprise with an advocacy to strengthen community-level primary healthcare in the country. The company intends to continue growing its laboratory facility network through additional partnerships beyond SGD.

To learn more about free laboratory services under the 1Life, Inc. and SGD partnership, visit 1life.ph and facebook.com/1life.ph. The 1Life Health App is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

Filipino Poker Team Wins PH’s First Asian Poker Tour Lion Trophy, Reaches $7M Career Earnings

Manila, Philippines – The Philippines reigned supreme in the international poker circuit after the country secured its first-ever Pewter Mega Lion trophy at the recent Asian Poker Tour (APT), a landmark win that has propelled the players to $7 million USD in consolidated career earnings.

Filipino poker legend Mike Takayama navigated a field of 136 elite international entries, at one point surviving with only three big blinds, to secure his 17th career APT title. The victory earned him a career-best TWD 9.76 million (approx. PHP 18 million) and the distinction of being the first-ever Filipino to hoist the Pewter Mega Lion. His rise began as a poker dealer in local billiards halls. After years of observing seasoned pros and overcoming early setbacks, he has amassed over $4 million in career earnings. With his latest win, he holds the distinction of being the only Filipino with a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet and is currently closing in on the #1 spot for the Philippines’ all-time earnings.

“Walang nagturo sa akin, ‘yong sarili ko lang ang nag-guide sa akin (No one taught me; I guided myself),” Takayama shared, reflecting on the self-reliance that led to his historic APT win.

Other athletes include Lester Edoc and Elmer “Kalaquian” Abcede. A veteran from Baguio, Edoc rose from running modest home games to winning over $2.7 million on the international stage. As a two-time RVS Cup champion, he has proven his dominance across Taiwan, Vietnam, and Korea. Meanwhile, Abcede is a licensed professional teacher from Bataan and the son of a taxi driver who brings a disciplined, academic approach to the game. With nearly $300,000 in earnings, his journey from the Metro Card Club to international tournaments reflects the grit inherent in Filipino talent.

“All the hardship and pain I experienced built who I am today,” Abcede said as he recalled experiencing struggles to find stakers at the Metro Card Club. He shared that his refusal to quit led him to a successful partnership with Buenas PH.

The victory marks a turning point for the Philippines in the global competitive circuit, cementing the country’s status as a powerhouse in the world of skill-based mind sports. Supporting this international campaign is Buenas PH, a PAGCOR-licensed platform dedicated to professionalizing the sport. By providing the necessary logistical framework, the brand enables these athletes to represent the Philippines at the highest level of competition.

“This monumental win is a testament to extraordinary Filipino talent,” said Ellen Joy Almanza, Managing Consultant of Buenas. “We are proud to have played a part in their journey toward becoming the country’s top-ranked players. It is our mission to ensure that the next generation of talent has the support needed to become world-ranked athletes.”

By fostering a strictly regulated ecosystem focused on responsible gaming and identity verification, the partnership between the country’s leading poker players and Buenas PH aims to elevate the local poker community. As these athletes continue to break records, they carry forward a spirit of resilience that continues to inspire the global mind sports community.

Takayama is set to represent the Philippines at the upcoming World Series of Poker starting late May in the US.

Monday, May 25, 2026

The Past Takes Center Stage at NEWSTALGIA

PROJECT ZENITH Explores the Power of Memory in Modern Marketing

There is something unforgettable about the things we grew up with. A familiar commercial, an old OPM playlist, or even simple tambayan moments can instantly bring people back to a feeling, a memory, or a certain time in their lives. Today, brands continue to use these emotional connections to create stories that audiences genuinely remember.

Bringing this idea to life, PROJECT ZENITH, a premier student-led production under the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Business Administration, presents NEWSTALGIA: When Memories Meet Marketing on June 9, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at PUP Bulwagang Balagtas.

Designed as an immersive academic experience, NEWSTALGIA explores how nostalgia shapes consumer behavior, emotional engagement, and brand relevance in today’s fast-evolving marketing landscape. Through insightful discussions and creative experiences, the event highlights how familiar memories and cultural touchpoints become powerful tools for meaningful storytelling and audience connection.

Participants can expect interactive activities, nostalgic themed spaces, competitions, and performances that celebrate Filipino culture and shared experiences. Hosting the event are Buknoy Gonzales and Angelica Marie Sanchez, who will bring energy and entertainment to the afternoon program.

Adding to the excitement are special performances from indie pop artist Harry Ocampo, rising Filipino R&B boy group Xerenade, and a surprise special guest whose songs may already hold a place in audiences’ childhood memories.

Expected to gather hundreds of participants fondly called “Bagets,” NEWSTALGIA welcomes PUP Marketing students, fellow Iskolar ng Bayan, partner schools, alumni, organizations, and anyone interested in branding, storytelling, and marketing innovation.

Gusto mo bang sumama?

📍 NEWSTALGIA: When Memories Meet Marketing
🗓 June 9, 2026 (Tuesday)
🕐 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📌 PUP Bulwagang Balagtas

Register here:
http://tiny.cc/NEWSTALGIA

COLORFUL Unveils Immersive COMPUTEX 2026 Showroom Experience in Taipei

TAIPEI, Taiwan – COLORFUL Technology Company Limited, a globally recognized manufacturer of gaming PC components, laptops, and Hi-Fi audio products, has announced an exciting off-site showroom experience for COMPUTEX 2026. Hosted at the Taipei Marriott Hotel from June 2 to June 5, the showcase promises an immersive journey through the company’s expanding ecosystem of gaming, lifestyle, and creator-focused technologies.

Designed to offer visitors a hands-on experience, the showroom will feature four uniquely themed zones that highlight COLORFUL’s latest innovations. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore new products from the COLORFIRE MEOW series, advanced gaming laptops, premium peripherals, custom-built PCs, and the newest additions to the iGame and Battle-Ax hardware families.

One of the key attractions is the Home Experience Zone, which demonstrates how modern computing hardware can seamlessly blend into contemporary living environments. The centerpiece of this area is the iGame Ultra Zero PC Set, showcasing COLORFUL’s innovative “Zero-Cable” ecosystem. The concept emphasizes clean aesthetics, minimal clutter, and elegant integration of high-performance hardware into everyday home spaces, moving beyond traditional gaming-focused designs.

The Laptops & Peripherals Experience Zone introduces the latest generation of COLORFUL mobile computing devices, led by the new iGame ORIGO series. Other featured products include the EVOL X16 Pro, EVOL P16 Pro, MEOW R16 Ultra, MEOW R16 Pro, and the Rimbook S1 Plus. Visitors will also get an early look at a new liquid-cooled gaming laptop concept. Complementing the laptops are premium Hi-Fi products from the COLORFIRE and COLORFLY brands, showcasing advanced Bluetooth connectivity, multi-device support, and seamless cross-platform integration. The lightweight Rimbook L1 Plus, featuring a slim metal chassis, a 16-inch 2.5K display, and AMD Ryzen-powered performance, will also be highlighted.

Another major attraction is the MEOW Internet Café Experience Zone, inspired by COLORFUL’s flagship esports entertainment complex in Chengdu, China. This interactive space recreates a futuristic gaming café environment that combines industrial aesthetics with playful pet-themed design elements, offering visitors a glimpse into the future of social gaming and entertainment venues.

For PC enthusiasts, the Component and PC Zone showcases the latest iGame and Battle-Ax products. Highlights include the recently launched iGame Z890 Ultra-S W motherboard, designed for Intel Core Ultra 200S Series processors, and the newly redesigned iGame Ultra Series PC, featuring a bold graffiti-inspired aesthetic and optimized cooling performance.

With innovative product displays, immersive environments, and hands-on demonstrations, COLORFUL’s COMPUTEX 2026 showroom aims to deliver an engaging experience for gamers, creators, and technology enthusiasts alike. Visitors attending COMPUTEX are invited to explore the showcase at the Grand Space on the third floor of the Taipei Marriott Hotel and discover the next generation of COLORFUL technology.

Smart Blocks Almost a Billion Text Scams in Q1

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has blocked more than 955,000,000 text messages related to scams and phishing activities in the first quarter of 2026. It also blacklisted almost 200,000 mobile numbers linked to fraudulent activities from its network.

“Scammers are exploiting devices that imitate legitimate cell towers to send fraudulent messages directly to nearby phones,” said Menardo 'Butch' Jimenez Jr., PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Head of Network. “This is why we continue to strengthen our network defenses while working closely with government partners to help protect our customers.”

Smart, together with its value brand TNT, recently launched anti–text scam awareness videos to amplify the government’s campaign against fraudulent activities carried out using mobile technology.

“Protecting Filipinos from online scams requires strong collaboration across government, industry, and the public,” Jimenez Jr. added. “By raising awareness and strengthening safeguards across networks, we can make it harder for criminals to exploit mobile technologies.”

PLDT and Smart said consumers can spot potential text scams through several warning signs. Fraudulent messages often create urgency—claiming an account will be suspended, rewards points are expiring, or access credentials will be revoked. Others promise prizes or exclusive deals to lure recipients into clicking embedded links.

In some cases, the scams may involve signal hijacking, a tactic that allows criminals to send phishing messages directly to nearby phones.

The method uses devices known as IMSI catchers—rogue base stations that impersonate legitimate cellular towers to trick phones into connecting to them. Once linked, the device can transmit text messages directly to those handsets without relying on the telecom operator’s messaging network. A sudden downgrade from 5G to older networks, such as 2G, before suspicious messages arrive, may indicate the presence of malicious fake cell towers.

The companies urge customers to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and to report suspicious texts through Smart’s HULISCAM portal at https://smart.com.ph/huliscam, its verified social media accounts, or the Smart hotline *888.